Every winter, I’m tempted to accost the parents of all small children not wearing hats. Christmas shopping, I’m transfixed by the sight of a bare-headed baby in its buggy. What is its mother thinking? Doesn’t she realise how much heat is lost through a baby’s head? And the younger the baby, the larger the head in proportion to the rest of its body. That poor baby will have a terrible headache by the time it gets home, and I bet its mother will be unable to work out why it’s crying.
I’m tempted to keep a supply of small hats in my coat pocket to slip on bareheaded babies when their mothers aren’t looking. I wonder how often I’d get away with it? It’s a bit like guerilla gardening: my intentions are of the best, but I don’t quite dare do it in public view. So I don’t. I restrain myself. I simply shake my own (behatted) head and move on.
But wouldn’t you think that new mothers would have got the message by now? Especially as expectant mothers are told to bring a bonnet to the delivery suite. These days, baby’s first photo usually incorporates a large hat. It looks like a tiny relic of the 1940s, when you’d be as likely to leave home without your knickers as go out without your hat. Minutes after my caesarean, my daughter was sporting a cheery pink and purple number. I’d knitted it especially for the occasion.
I wonder, is there a specific age when you start to feel a moral authority to comment on other people’s parenting skills? Um, yes, I think that would be middle age. Ahem. Better get back to my knitting.
But just to show I’m not beyond correction myself, here’s a link to the tale of a middle-aged lady who turned on me in Morrisons this time last year. Maybe it’s all part of the spirit of Christmas…. The Perils of the Supermarket
… my sentiments exactly. And let’s not forget those tiny bare feet! Being a granny to 3, and mum to 2, I can’t help but stare at hatless babies, or tiny red bare feet! These mothers should be made to walk bare foot in the cold weather. I do bite my tongue, but it’s difficult. I do the granny glare!
Ooh, the granny glare – that should do the trick, Caz! 😉
Hi Debbie, just a quick one to let you know i’ve awarded you a Liebster blog award at my other blog http://www.dandelionsducksanddoughnuts.wordpress.com. I have 2 blogs, that and Shadesofvioletblog. My Violet blog is my new one that i keep dedicated to SEN related subjects. My dandelion blog i set up over a year ago, just for family that live far away at first but it has slowly grown. I don’t know why people visit it, i mostly only moan on it ! (gives my husband a break from me moaning at him 🙂 )
Anyway i just thought i’d let you know incase you got hits from a blog you didn’t recognize.
Best Wishes, Jo x
Thank you 🙂
And i think you’re right, we could form an undercover baby hat squad, the parents may not appreciate it but i’m sure the little babies would 🙂
Enjoyed your post (saw your blog on MN) i always think exactly the same thing at this time of year, i blame my age 🙂 Had a read through some of your other posts too and really enjoyed them so i’ve added your blog to my blog rolls, hope you don’t mind, Jo
Mind? Mind??? Of course I don’t mind, Jo – it’s an honour!
Glad I’m not the only one thinking this way – maybe we should start a movement, and all go round with a secret stock of hats in our pockets!